Legal Requirements

not be marrying a parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, brother or sister

be at least eighteen years old, unless a court has approved a marriage where one party is aged between sixteen and eighteen years old

understand what marriage means and freely consent to becoming husband and wife

use specific words during the ceremony

give written notice of their intention to marry to their authorised celebrant, within the required time frame.

The celebrant you choose will help you understand these requirements.

You don’t have to be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident of Australia to legally marry here. You can find marriage visa information on the Department of Immigration and Border Protection website, if you hope to live in Australia after your marriage.

Important paperwork—Notice of Intended Marriage

A completed Notice of Intended Marriage form must be given to your celebrant at least one month before the wedding. You can give it to your celebrant up to eighteen months beforehand.

Your celebrant can help you complete the form. The notice may be completed and witnessed outside Australia if required.

Talk to your celebrant if there is less than one month before your wedding. A prescribed authority may approve a shorter notice time in some limited circumstances.

You will need to give your celebrant evidence of date and place of birth, identity and the end of any previous marriages for each party. Your celebrant may also ask you to complete a statutory declaration to support your evidence.